Aviation Safety, Public and Private Sectors Collaborate Closely

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will form the "Aviation Safety Innovation Committee," consisting of about 20 private experts in the aviation and airport sectors, and hold its first planning meeting (kickoff meeting) in Seoul on the 4th.

This consultative body is an internal review and advisory organization established by the Ministry to develop improvement measures for the overall aviation safety system in South Korea. It was formed as a follow-up measure to recent consecutive aviation accidents, including the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster at Muan International Airport in December last year and the Air Busan passenger plane fire at Gimhae International Airport last month.

The committee will operate for about 10 weeks until April. It plans to divide its activities into two subcommittees: the Aviation Operation Safety Subcommittee, composed of experts in piloting, maintenance, and cabin crew, and the Airport Facilities Improvement Subcommittee, which includes experts in air traffic control, bird control, and construction. Each subcommittee will have 10 members. Additional experts will be appointed as members depending on the discussion topics. At the meeting, the committee chairperson will be elected, and specific operational directions will be decided.

On the morning of the 3rd, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board, the French Aviation Accident Investigation Board, police, and fire officials are conducting a joint inspection at the Air Busan fire site at Gimhae International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Busan. Photo by Yonhap News

Going forward, the committee will discuss raising the maintenance capabilities of low-cost carriers (LCCs) and address issues pointed out after the Jeju Air disaster, such as aircraft utilization rates and inconsistencies between airport construction and operation regulations. Topics will also include strengthening safety reviews during airline operation licensing, revising airport construction and operation regulations, airport operation certification and inspections, and enhancing the disclosure system for aviation safety investments.

The committee aims to prepare safety improvement measures across all aviation sectors by the end of next month and hold a public hearing around April to finalize the aviation safety innovation measures. Baek Won-guk, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "In light of various aircraft accidents, improving aviation safety-related systems is currently the government's top priority. We are committed to making painstaking efforts with the determination to rebuild the aviation safety system from the ground up."

Meanwhile, the Ministry plans to recruit experienced public officials responsible for air traffic control, maintenance, and safety. Separate announcements will be made in the first and second halves of the year to select about 30 people in total. Specialized fixed-term public officials for aviation safety supervision and operation qualification assessments will also be hired within the year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.